Switch mechanism and train-carried actuating means therefor.



PATBNTRD JAN.l 21, 1908.l

G. PARKS. SWITCH MRGHANISM AND TRAIN CARRIED AGTUATING AMEANS TRRRRPOR.

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APPLICATION IILBD OGTfZB, 1907.

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N. 877,224. PATEN'I'ED JAN. 2l, 1908.

' G. PARKS. SWITCH MEGHANISM AND TRAIN CARRIED AGTUATING MEANS'THEREFOR.

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GORDON PARKS, OF HARRISON VALLEY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH MEGHANISM AND TRAIN-CARRIED `AC'JTUILLTING- MEANS TI-CEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1908.

.Application led October 28 1907. Serial No. 399587- To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, GORDON PARKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Harrison Valley, in the county of PotterV and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Mechanism and Train-Carried Actuating Means Therefor; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

.This invention relates to new and useful improvements in switch mechanisms and train-carried actuating means therefor; and has for its object to provide a simple and efficiently operating form of switch mechanism adapted to be readily applied in position and to provide a simple form of switch actuating means adapted to be carried by an engine or street railway car for throwing the switch, said actuating mechanism being such as to be under the control of the engineer at all times.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and operation of the invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of a railway track provided with the improved switch mechanism with a portion of the actuating means carried by the train; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the plane indicated by the dotted lines 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the directions indicated by the arrows; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a section of a railway track provided with the improved switch mechanism, with an engine provided with the improved actuating mechanism arranged on said track section; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1,

looking in the direction indicated by theV arrow; Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrow.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only, and therefore not drawn to scale, 1 indicates a section of a railway track, and 2 the improved switch mechanism. This switch comprises the usual pivoted switch tongues 3 and switch throwing bar 4 which is fixed to the free ends of the switch tongues, as at 5, and arranged to slide or move 1n a corresponding groove formed-in the top of one of the cross ties 6.

In carrying out the invention, two casings 7 are arrangedv longitudinally of the track and one on each side thereof, said casings being formed with inwardly extending extensions 8, adapted to receive the ends of the cross ties 6. A bell crank lever 9 is pivoted between its arms to the top and near each end of the cross ties 6, the inner arms of said levers being connected with the ends of the switch throwing bar or member 4, and the outer arms of the same being connected at suitable points intermediately of the ends of longitudinallyv disposed operating members 10, arranged for longitudinal movement in the casings 7. levers 1 1 are pivoted near their lower ends to uprights or standards 12, iixed in and near the ends of the casings 7 and are connected at their extreme inner or lower ends with the ends of the operating members 10, the purpose of which will be disclosed. The upper ends of said actuating levers 11 are inclined outwardly as at 13, the purpose of which will be seen as the invention is better compre hended. The casings 7 are preferably provided with covers 14, in which case, said covers are formed with longitudinal slots or apertures 15, for the reception of the actuating levers 11.

I will now describe a form of switch actuating mechanism preferably employed for actuating the switch. This actuating mechanism preferably comprises a laterally movable rod or member 16, mounted to slide in transversely spaced bearings depending from the pilot block 17 of the engine 18. A bell crank lever 19 is pivotally mounted on the pilot block and has its forward end slotted, as at 20 to receive a pin 21 formed centrally of the ends of the rod or member 16. The outer arm of the bell crank is connected with the forward end of a longitudinally disposed operating rod or member 22, mounted to slide in bearings on the engine and connected at its extreme rear end near the lower or pivot end of a hand lever 23 pivoted to the v l rod or member 22 being moved either forwardly or rearwardly, as the case may be, to move the rod or member 16 in the desired direction.

From the construction illustrated and delined, it will be readily perceived that by a proper manipulation oi the hand lever 23 the rod or member 16 may be so positioned as to engage either one oi the actuating levers 11 and the switch thrown to the right or left as desired.

As illustrated in the drawings, (see Fig. l) the train is represented as traveling in the direction'indicated by the arrow, with the bar or member 16 arranged to engage the adjacent actuating lever ll on the right hand side of the track, in which case, the switch will be thrown to the right and the train will be caused to pass or travel from the main line to the branch line. To securely lock the switch tongues against movement after having been thrown in either direction, each of the longitudinallyT disposed operating rods or members l() are provided with two balls 28, arranged to normally engage the correspondingly curved portions of two longitudinally disposed locking members 29 arranged in the casings 7. When the switch is thrown in either direction the balls 28 are caused to slide or move over the central portions of the locking members 29 and engage the curved portions at the opposite ends thereof, which will eiiectually prevent disl placement of the switch under ordinary conditions.

Paving described my invention, I claim:

1. A switch mechanism embracing an endwise movable switch bar connected with the switch tongues, bell cranks pivotally mounted on one of the cross ties and connected at their inner ends' with the switch throwing bar, longitudinal-operating levers arranged on opposite sides of the track and connected with the outer ends of the bell cranks, vertically disposed pivoted actuating levers conerr/,224

nected with the ends of the operating members and operable for moving the operating members in either direction, locking means for locking the operating members in either of their two positions, said means comprising balls 'fixed to the operating members, and locking members having curved end portions for engaging said balls.

2. A switch mechanism, embracing an endwise movable switch throwing bar mounted to slide on one ofthe cross ties, bell cranks connected with the ends of said bar, casings arranged longitudinally of the track and at opposite sides thereof, longitudinally disposed operating members arranged for endwise movement of the casings and connected. with the bell cranks, upright actuating levers pivotally mounted in the casings and connected with the ends of the operating members, locking means for locking the operating members in either of their two positions, and switch actuating means comprising avlaterally movable operating member adapted for engagement with either of the actuating levers of the switch mechanism operatively sustained by the engine.

3. A switch mechanism embracing longitudinal operating members, arranged at opposite sides of the switch, vertically disposed pivoted actuating levers connected with the ends of the operating members, and operable for moving the same in either direction,lock ing means for locking the operating members in either of their two positions, said means comprising balls fixed tothe latter, and a locking member having curved end portions for engaging said balls, and connection between the operating members and switch.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set f my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses. I

GORDON PARKS. Witnesses:

GRANT U. ToMPKrNs, J. M. PARKs. 

